Princess Polly vs. Hello Molly: Which brand should you buy? [2026]
Princess Polly is your destination for edgy, on-trend, and highly affordable fast fashion for a younger, festival-going crowd, with most items under $80. Hello Molly targets a slightly older audience with a focus on feminine, polished occasionwear like romantic dresses and modern party outfits, often at a higher price point.
Let's break down everything you need to know to choose the right fast-fashion brand for your style and budget.
Princess Polly: The Trendy & Edgy Fast-Fashion Favorite
Princess Polly is an Australian fashion brand that has become a go-to for Gen Z and millennial shoppers seeking youthful, bold, and budget-friendly styles. The brand is known for its incredible speed, dropping new arrivals constantly to keep up with the latest streetwear and social media trends. Their aesthetic is playful and unapologetically edgy, making it perfect for everyday wear, parties, and festival season.
- Product mix: A massive collection of clothing that includes mini dresses, cargo pants, corset tops, knitwear, and graphic tees. They also offer a wide selection of accessories and shoes to complete the look.
- Price point: Very accessible, with most clothing items priced between $30 and $80. Accessories and shoes generally range from $20 to $100.
- Quality: As a fast-fashion brand, the focus is on affordability and current trends over longevity. Garments are often made with lighter, synthetic-blend fabrics designed for a season of wear.
- Sizing/Fit: Garments generally fit true to size. Princess Polly is known for offering a more inclusive size range to accommodate various body types.
- Sales: The brand runs constant promotions, student discounts, and major seasonal sales, making it easy to find a deal.
- Return policy: Standard 30-day return window for most items.
Princess Polly is the ideal destination for anyone looking to build a wardrobe filled with current, edgy, and affordable pieces without a major financial commitment.
Shop Princess Polly: princesspolly.com
Hello Molly: The Feminine & Polished Occasionwear Destination
Also based in Australia, Hello Molly caters to young women who want stylish, elegant, and sophisticated outfits. While still a fast-fashion retailer, the brand is renowned for its selection of party dresses, occasionwear, and chic separates. Their collections often feature romantic floral prints, ruffles, and modern silhouettes perfect for everything from date nights to weddings.
- Product mix: Specializes in dresses - think cocktail, formal, and sundresses. They also offer tops, bottoms, and rompers with a flirty, feminine aesthetic.
- Price point: Slightly more expensive than Princess Polly, with most tops and dresses priced between $50 and $120.
- Quality: The fabrics and construction aim for a more polished and high-quality feel compared to other fast-fashion brands. Pieces are designed to look more expensive than they are.
- Sizing/Fit: Hello Molly's sizing often runs small, especially in fitted or bodycon styles. It's highly recommended to consult their sizing chart before ordering and consider sizing up.
- Sales: Holds regular sales events, particularly around seasons and holidays, but the discounts might not be as steep or frequent as Princess Polly's.
- Return policy: They also offer a standard 30-day return policy for eligible items.
Hello Molly is perfect for shoppers seeking a polished and glamorous look for a specific event who are willing to spend a bit more for a more refined finish.
Shop Hello Molly: hellomolly.com
Princess Polly vs. Hello Molly Comparison
Price Comparison
Princess Polly is the clear winner for budget-conscious shoppers. With a huge catalog of trendy pieces priced well under $80, it's tailored for those who want to experiment with styles without a big investment. You can easily find a complete concert or party outfit for under $100.
Hello Molly sits at a slightly higher price point, with most of their signature dresses falling in the $50 to $120 range. The extra cost reflects a focus on more intricate designs, detailed occasionwear, and slightly better materials. While both brands offer regular sales, Princess Polly’s discounts are often more aggressive and frequent.
Quality & Materials
As fast-fashion brands, both Princess Polly and Hello Molly prioritize speed and trends. Princess Polly’s items are made for affordability and are great for a season, but fabrics may not stand up to years of frequent wear. You can expect standard synthetic materials like polyester and rayon that look good but aren't necessarily built for durability.
Hello Molly aims for a more premium feel. While still using many synthetic materials, their clothes often have better construction, lining in dresses, and heavier-weight fabrics that give a more polished appearance. For a dress you hope to wear to multiple events, Hello Molly often offers better value in terms of construction.
Style & Aesthetic
The core difference between the brands lies in their aesthetic. Princess Polly champions a youthful, casual, and edgy vibe. Their styles are heavily inspired by streetwear, festival culture, and current social media trends - think micro mini skirts, cargo pants, and corset tops. It's fashion for being seen and having fun in a laid-back setting.
Hello Molly's style is distinctly feminine, flirty, and elegant. Their collections are filled with floral prints, ruffles, satin fabrics, and bodycon silhouettes designed for special events like weddings, engagement parties, birthdays, or date nights. It’s for the person who wants to look modern and glamorous without being overly formal.
Fit & Sizing
Sizing is a major differentiator. Princess Polly tends to be more reliably true-to-size and offers a broader range of sizes, including some plus-size options. This makes it a more accessible choice for a wider variety of body shapes.
Hello Molly is notorious for running small. Many shoppers recommend sizing up, particularly in items with no stretch like formal dresses or fitted jumpsuits. Always double-check their product-specific sizing chart and read customer reviews to get the best fit, as their sizing can be less consistent across styles.
Sustainability & Ethics
Both brands operate on a fast-fashion model, which has a significant environmental and social impact. Princess Polly has made visible efforts toward sustainability by introducing more eco-friendly packaging and a "Princess Polly Earth Club" collection made from lower-impact materials. They provide some information on their ethical sourcing but lack deep transparency in their supply chain.
Hello Molly has also made verbal commitments to ethical sourcing, but like many similar brands, they offer limited public information about their specific manufacturing practices or factory certifications. If sustainability is a top priority, neither brand is a leader in this area, though Princess Polly's public-facing initiatives give them a slight edge.
Which One Should You Choose?
The right choice really depends on your personal style, your budget, and what occasion you're shopping for. Both brands excel in their respective niches.
Choose Princess Polly if:
- You're on a tight budget and want the most trend-forward pieces for your money.
- Your style is edgy, casual, and inspired by street style or festival fashion.
- You need a dependable, true-to-size fit and want access to more inclusive sizing.
- You love a good sale and are always looking for the latest styles to drop.
Choose Hello Molly if:
- You are shopping for a special occasion like a wedding, birthday party, or formal event.
- Your style is feminine, romantic, and a little more sophisticated and polished.
- You're willing to pay a bit more for better quality construction and nicer feeling fabrics.
- You don't mind carefully checking size charts to get the right fit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Princess Polly or Hello Molly cheaper?
Princess Polly is significantly cheaper. Most of their clothing items are priced between $30 and $80, whereas Hello Molly's dresses and signature pieces often range from $50 to $120.
Which brand has better quality?
Hello Molly generally has better quality. They focus on more polished occasionwear, using slightly heavier fabrics and better construction to create a more premium feel compared to Princess Polly's fast-fashion basics.
Do Princess Polly and Hello Molly fit differently?
Yes. Princess Polly clothing is generally considered true-to-size. Hello Molly pieces, particularly their fitted dresses, are known to run small, and shoppers often need to size up.
Which brand is better for dresses?
It depends on the occasion. Hello Molly is the best choice for formal events, weddings, and date nights due to their elegant and sophisticated designs. Princess Polly is better for casual daytime, party, or festival dresses.
What are the return policies like?
Both brands offer a 30-day return window for most items. They typically offer refunds, exchanges, or store credit, but be sure to read the specific terms on their websites as sale items may have different policies.
Are Princess Polly and Hello Molly both fast fashion brands?
Yes, both brands operate on a fast-fashion model, which means they produce trendy, affordable clothing quickly to meet consumer demand. Both have started taking steps towards sustainability, but their business core is fast fashion.
Which brand offers better sizing options?
Princess Polly offers more inclusive sizing, including a dedicated plus-size range. Hello Molly has a more limited size range in comparison.
Who are these brands for?
Princess Polly targets a younger Gen Z and millennial audience (ages 16-30) with edgy, trendy styles. Hello Molly targets a slightly older demographic (ages 18-35) looking for more polished and feminine pieces for social outings and events.
